Household Tips – Skip Daley – Weathervane Insurance

In these economically challenging times, we look to find ways to save money wherever we can. Here are some ideas to reduce your spending and pocket the difference:

Stop eating out so much – the average American spends nearly $3000 eating out each year.
End your cable service – today, much of what is on television can be found online, free to stream (often on the websites of the major networks). Regardless, can’t you find better ways to spend your time besides being stuck to the television?
Use your local library – beyond the obvious savings of book purchases, most public libraries offer numerous family-friendly activities (most are free and offer an educational component).
Energy audit – find out if your energy providers offer a free energy audit to offer ideas on how to reduce your bill and become more environmentally conscientious.
Lower your property taxes – contact your County Government and request a re-assessment of your property to determine if you are paying above and beyond your fair share.
Get rid of your landline – consider ditching the home phone and flying solo with your mobile service. If you desire an additional number, look into google phone service, which offers a free number that can be forwarded to any line you have (and it has many additional perks like voicemail and recording capabilities).
Stop impulse buying – most people make purchases on a whim, only to regret the decision. Try setting a number (like$50) and agree to think for 24 hours before spending that much on one single item.
Payoff debt – Many Americans have numerous credit cards and other loans which cause thousands of dollars in interest to be thrown out the door. Attacking a few of your smaller balanced debts quickly can save the average person hundreds, or more, each year.
Make supermarket lists – determine what you want or need from the supermarket before going there, which will help you from making hasty decisions induced by clever marketing ploys.
Shop around your auto and home insurance – check out competitive rates and see if you can reduce your annual premium. Customers of Weathervane Insurance Solutions have been saving an average of nearly $500/year.

Weathervane Insurance Solutions is a locally owned (Bloomington, Indiana) independent insurance agency offering over 30, ‘A rated’ carriers. We have the opportunity to compare your insurance needs with the largest selection of preferred companies in order to provide you with the most competitive premiums in the area. Save on Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Renter’s Insurance, Motorcycle Insurance, Boat Insurance, RV Insurance, Life Insurance, Business Insurance, and more! Call us today at 812-269-8621.

Freezing weather and broken pipes

January 21, 2016January 21, 2016 insurancebloomington

The frigid temperatures are here! Each year there are millions of broken water pipes recorded in the United States alone, and the damage ranks second the hurricanes as the most costly of housing damages. While the threat is significant, there are ways to combat this potential peril by preparing yourself and your home for the winter weather.

Here are some tips on how to best position yourself to avoid a busted or frozen water pipe, and some advice on what to do should you find yourself in the situation of having a broken water pipe:

Before below freezing weather

Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses before putting them in storage
Place a foam cover over the faucet, turn off their supply valve, and leave the faucet to open position
Insulate water pipes with pipe sleeves, heat tape or heat cable, particularly pipes that run through unheated areas of the house, such as attics, basements, crawl spaces, and garages

During freezing weather

Keep your house warm, and allow the warm air to circulate as much as possible. Seal drafts and keep interior doors open
Do not turn off the heat if you will be away overnight
Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks, allowing indoor heat to reach the pipes. (be conscientious to keep chemicals out of reach from children and pets)
Open indoor faucets and allow a trickle of water

If a pipe freezes

Determine the location of the freeze
If the problem is widespread, turn off the main water and call a plumber
If it’s a single pipe, and you can reach the frozen section, try using a hair dryer, heating pad, or portable space heater (under close supervision). Keep the faucet open and work up and down the pipe, starting at the faucet and working backward to the frozen section. Apply heat until full water pressure returns and reduce the flow to a trickle until the stream is back to normal

If a pipe breaks

Turn off your water main IMMEDIATELY
If your electricity has been in contact with the water, turn off the affected breakers
Your safety is your first priority, so ensure that you, your family, and your pets are safe
If you can safely remove valuables from potential damage, and then proceed to extract as much water as possible
If the water damage is significant, contact your insurance agent, a water damage restoration company, and a plumber as soon as possible

For more information on how to prepare your home for winter, contact Weathervane Insurance Solutions in Bloomington, Indiana at 812-269-8621.

Household Tips

Winter energy saving tips

January 14, 2016January 14, 2016 insurancebloomington

Energy saving tips to reduce your winter bills

The winter months bring more than glistening snow and holiday cheer . . . they bring frigid temperatures and dreaded heating bills! There are some simple ways you can become more energy efficient around your home to assist in reducing your costs this coming winter. Getting these chores accomplished early in the season will benefit you, as the days are typically warmer and have longer periods of daylight. Here are some DYI ideas which should save you energy and money:

Seal off drafty windows and patio doors
Caulk both sides of the trim around your windows
Try replacing the weather stripping around the doors in your home
Reverse the direction of ceiling fans to push air downward, delaying it from escaping the house
Insulate the hot water lines around your hot water heater and turn down the temperature of the water heater to the “warm” setting (120 degrees F)
Replace your furnace filter every 3 months (or as often as manufacturer recommendations)
Make sure your cold air returns aren’t blocked so your furnace can operate efficiently
Use a programmable thermostat to reduce heating costs when no one is at home
Uncover all south-facing windows to let all possible sunlight in your home
Install foam insulators behind the face plates of light switches and electrical outlets
Have your HVAC system inspected and tuned up in the Autumn

All of these ideas common sense thoughts that can be implemented with little time and little expenditure; contact a locally trusted HVAC professional to inspect your heating system and ensure it is running properly for you!